Archive for 'Curiosities'

The beautiful southern region of Campania, in Italy, is a sunny land of diverse landscapes from perfect beaches to volcanic peaks, incredible vistas, a delicious and rich food culture, a long and distinct history, a rich cultural heritage, and one of the most relaxed lifestyles around. It is a perfect holiday destination for those who want fun, sun, and to well and truly get away from it all. A vacation rental in Campania or a villa rental on the Amalfi Coast, in particular, would make for a perfect holiday destination and, while you’re in the region, you can use it as a base to explore the incredible variety of things to see and do in the surrounding area. For example, should you head to Naples for a day, you could go and explore the amazing underground systems below the historic centre of the city and discover a whole other fascinating world below ground…

The Naples Underground Geothermal Zone is a series of underground spaces and tunnels beneath the city of Naples that have been dug out and added to throughout the centuries. The geothermal area spreads all the way from Mount Vesuvius and includes a wide area spanning underneath Pompei, Herculaneum, Campi Flegrei, Naples and all the way out to Pozzuoli and the coastal area of Baia. Due to mining and lots of different kinds of infrastructural projects that were undertaken throughout the centuries, this naturally-occurring geothermal zone has been expanded into a complex series of caves and underground structures. It is at its apex underneath the city of Naples and it is from Naples that you can take guided tours and descend into this incredibly interesting underground world for yourself.     Read More

Federico Fellini is one of Italy’s most famous directors of all time and one of the most beloved directors in the world. He was a central figure of the international art cinema movement that caught steam in the 1950s and continued to make beloved works and contributions to the industry for decades afterwards and then passed away in 1993. 2020 marks the hundredth anniversary of his birth and, as a result, there will be all sorts of events to commemorate this master of Italian cinema in both his homeland and abroad. But, of course, it is in Italy that the celebrations will be most enthusiastic. One of the key events taking place all around Italy is a travelling exhibition dedicated to his work, so if you have already found a vacation rental in Italy and are planning a trip or hope to arrange a holiday in Italy in 2020 and you are a fan of cinema, be sure to keep your eyes peeled for the "Fellini 100 and La dolce vita Exhibition."     Read More

Have you been dreaming of a trip to Italy for years and have finally decided to bite bullet and plan the holiday that you have always wanted? Have you dreamed of tasting the famously delicious food, sipping wine in the beautiful vineyards, exploring the pretty little towns and majestic cities, seeing world class works of art with your own eyes, wandering palaces and villas and gardens, visiting stunning churches, taking in incredible views, hanging out on perfect beaches, skiing in the Alps, enjoying the bountiful wonders of the amazing landscapes that make up the countryside, and much more besides? There is just so much to see and do and look forward to! Just browse our amazing vacation rentals in Italy and luxury villas in Tuscany and get planning it all today.

However, if you are planning your first trip to Italy, then you might be unsure of what to expect when you get there. You might have some questions. So, we decided to answer some important ones to help you get started.     Read More

There is no shortage of excellent museums to choose from in Italy, as is patently obvious. Whether you’re heading to the Vatican City, which is essentially one giant museum-state, to Florence, the birthplace of the Renaissance, to Venice, home to the Biennale, which remains one of the world’s most important contemporary art exhibitions, and much more besides, there are plenty of options. However, while the famous and large museums filled with renowned names and works of art are undoubtedly important and worth seeing, we are big fans of the more obscure hidden gems that are dotted around the country. If you have found a vacation rental in Trentino, for example, you might want to check out a rather special museum indeed: an outdoor museum located across a beautiful forested alpine area.

In the Val di Sella, a pretty little valley located in the the Valsugana region of Trentino, a half hour from Trento, you will find the Arte Sella an open-air museum that is home to around 58 works of art dotted along a trail through the woods of Val di Sella. Tracing its roots back to 1986, when local artists began exhibiting their art in this area, the one-off event then became a biannual event and, finally, in 1996 became a permanent fixture in the area. The works are all created using natural materials that are found in the area – with twigs, branches, logs, rocks, and leaves being some of the most common materials that are used – and are sometimes interwoven with living plants and trees, allowing them to change, grow, and take on a life of their own. Works are also set up to make the most of their surroundings, frame views, and live in harmony with this lovely part of the world.     Read More